Walls, Colette Collection of UAW District 65 Cornell Organizing Materials, 1980- 2014
Collection Number: 6365

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Colette Walls Collection of UAW District 65 Cornell Organizing Materials, 1980- 2014
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6365
Abstract:
Materials relating to the UAW organizing committees at Cornell University during the early 1980s.
Creator:
Walls, Colette
United Auto Workers (UAW)
UAW District 65 Cornell Chapter
Active Concerned Employees (ACE)
Quanitities:
0.5 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English

Biographical / Historical

Colette Walls began working at Cornell University in June 1976. During the early part of 1980 she became involved with the UAW/District 65 Cornell union drive as a member of the organizing committee. Ms. Walls was also a member of the Clerical Organizing Committee working to organize the office workers. The significant goal in unionization for the Clerical unit was for women in those traditionally female jobs to have a say in the issues facing them: automation, occupational stress, low pay, low status, and lack of appreciation.
As part of the organizing effort Ms. Walls helped write newsletters and flyers, often drawing the cartoons for them, worked with focus groups, held informational meetings, and appeared on radio talk shows.
After the unsuccessful drive came to an end Ms. Walls continued on her Cornell career, retiring in 2013 as a department administrative manager.

Biographical / Historical

The Active Concerned Employees (ACE) committee was formed in early 1979 in an effort to improve the working life of Cornell employees. By 1980 their efforts began to take the form of unionization and ACE started an organizing campaign. District 65 initially led the drive, but as the drive progressed District 65 affiliated with UAW and by the end of the drive organizing at Cornell was clearly a UAW effort.
Althought the organizing drive initially included a wide array of employees differences in the card-signing rates led to a split. The service and maintenance employees were ready to vote for unionization by the end of 1980, well before the technical or the clerical and library employees were. The service and maintenance employees held a union election on February 24, 1981. The majority voted to unionize, forming UAW Local 2300. After difficult negotiations with the University, which included a strike, a contract was ratified in October, 1981.
Organizing continued with separate Technical Workers and Clerical Workers drives. Eventually the Technical Workers' drive had enough signatures to call for an election. Unionization was voted down in that election. The Clerical Workers' drive never reach the 30% threshold for signatures and was abandoned after over three years of effort.

This collection consists largely of the publications produced by the UAW organizing committees at Cornell University during the early 1980s. The best represented are "The Bear Facts" and "Clout!" There is only one issue of "Backbone." Also included is a narrative about the organizing effort, written by Colette Walls, who was active in the effort. There is also a 2006 interview with the professional organizer from the UAW, Barbara Rahke.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.
Conditions Governing Use

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Preferred Citation

Colette Walls Collection of UAW District 65 Cornell Organizing Materials #6365. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

Related Materials

Related Collections: /4252m: ILR School Student publication "The Cornell Worker" 5016: Cornell University Union Representation Material 5117: UAW-Cornell University Organizing Documents 5411 mf: Public Review Board Cases #11 & #48 on Microfilm 6094: UAW Public Review Boaard Decisions

SUBJECTS

Names:
Cupery, Steve
Davidoff, Al
Edelman, John
Edelman, Kurt
Lane, Carol
Livesay, Jane
Mackesey, Pam
Macomber, Jean
McPheeters, Jean
O'Conner, Chris
Rahke, Barbara
Reitz, Marlene
Rundle, Jim
Sexton, Brendon
Sirlin, Judy
Susselman, Sue
Tepperman, Jean
Valentino, Catherine
Walls, Colette
Weiss, Stephanie
Weldon, Cyd
York, Carolyn
Cornell University
District 65, Distribution Workers of America
International Union, United Automobile Workers of America (CIO)
International Union, United Automobile Workers of America (CIO) Local 2300
Subjects:
Labor Unions, Organizing
Universities and colleges, Employees, Labor unions

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Colette Walls Narrative
2013-2014
Scope and Contents
Brief history of UAW District 65 organizing at Cornell University. Includes a November 2013 draft and a February 2014 final copy.
Box 1 Folder 2
Barbara Rahke Interview
2006
Scope and Contents
Ms. Rahke was the UAW professional organizer sent to Cornell for the organizing effort
Box 1 Folder 3
Fact sheets
Scope and Contents
Union fact sheets for distribution to Cornell employees and students
Box 1 Folder 4
Organizing Zone Map
1980
Scope and Contents
Cornell's Ithaca, NY, campus divided into organizing zones.
Box 1 Folder 5
Broadsides
Scope and Contents
Advertising picnics and other events
Box 1 Folder 6
News clippings
1980-2014
Scope and Contents
From the Cornell Daily Sun, The New York Times, and other publications
Box 1 Folder 7
Cornell UAW Cards
Box 1 Folder 8
Backbone
1980
Scope and Contents
no.1 (1980:Sep.). Publication of the Cornell Chapter of UAW Service and Maintenance Organizing Committee
Box 1 Folder 8
Item 1: Backbone
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: Cornell Chapter UAW Service and Maintenance Organizing Committee
Notes: no.1 (1980:Sep.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Publication of District 65 Cornell Chapter
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 1: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: v.1 (1980:Mar.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 2: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.2 (1980:Mar. 17)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 3: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: March 24, 1980.
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 4: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.3 (1980:Apr.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 5: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.4 (1980:Apr.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 6: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: April 1980.
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 7: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.5 (1980:May)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 8: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.6 (1980:May)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 9: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.7 (1980:June)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 10: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.8 (1980:June)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 11: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.9 (1980:July)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 12: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: v.10 (1980:Aug.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 13: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: v.11 (1980:Aug.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 14: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.12 (1980:Sep.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 15: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.13 (1980:Oct.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 16: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.14 (1980:Oct.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 17: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.15 (1980:Nov.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 9
Item 18: The Bear Facts
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.15 (1980:Dec.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Publication of District 65 Cornell Chapter
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 1: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.17 (1981:Jan.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 2: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.17 (1981:Jan.). Copy 2.
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 3: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.18 (1981:Feb.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 4: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.19 (1981:Apr.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 5: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.21 (1981:June)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 6: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.23 (1981:July)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 7: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.25 (1981:Sep.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 8: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.26 (1981:oct.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 10
Item 9: The Bear Facts
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.27 (1981:Dec.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Publication of District 65 Cornell Chapter
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 1: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.28 (1982:Feb.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 2: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.29 (1982:Feb. 24)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 3: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.30 (1982:Mar. 8)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 4: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.31 (1982:apr. 5)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 5: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.32 (1982:May)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 6: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.33 (1982:June)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 7: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.34 (1982:July/Aug.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 8: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.35 (1982:Sep.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 9: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.36 (1982:Oct.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 10: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.37 (1982:Nov.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 11: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: no.38 (1982:Dec.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 11
Item 12: The Bear Facts
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: Special 10th Anniversary Issue
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Clout!
1980-1981
Scope and Contents
Publication of the UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 1: Clout!
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: no.1 (1980:Sep. 1)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 2: Clout!
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: no.2 (1980:Sep. 23)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 3: Clout!
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: no.3 (1980:Oct.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 4: Clout!
1980
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: no.5 (1980:Dec.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 5: Clout!
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: no.6 (1981:Jan.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 6: Clout!
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: March 1982.
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 7: Clout!
1983
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: April 1983. Special Issue for National Secretaries' Week
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 12
Item 8: Clout!
1983
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: UAW Clerical Organizing Committee
Notes: August 1983.
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 13
Union Songs
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Two union song books
Box 1 Folder 13
Item 1: Union Songs
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 13
Item 2: Union Songs
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: District 65 Cornell Chapter
Notes: Sung by the Cornell/UAW Singing Bears
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 14
UAW Publications
1981-1983
Box 1 Folder 14
Item 1: Solidarity
1981
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: United Auto Workers (UAW)
Notes: v.24:No.7 (1981:Aug.)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 14
Item 2: UAW Ammo
1982
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: United Auto Workers (UAW)
Notes: v.22:no.6 (1982:June)
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 15
60 Words A Minute and What Do You Get? Clerical Workers Today
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
By Jean Tepperman
Box 1 Folder 15
Item 1: 60 Words A Minute And What Do You Get? Clerical Workers Today
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Author: Jean Tepperman
Format: Publication
Language: English.
Box 1 Folder 16
Cornell Chapter District 65, UAW
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Address listing
Box 1 Folder 17
Buttons
Format: Publication
Scope and Contents
Three union buttons (pins).
Box 1 Folder 17
Item 1: Join UAW Vote: Organizing Committee
Format: Memorabilia
Scope and Contents
2.25 inch diameter button/pin
Format: Memorabilia.
Box 1 Folder 17
Item 2: Local 2300 UAW
Format: Memorabilia
Scope and Contents
1.5 inch diameter button/pin
Format: Memorabilia.
Box 1 Folder 17
Item 3: District 65 of the UAW Cornell Chapter
Format: Memorabilia
Scope and Contents
1.75 inch diameter button/pin with drawing of a Cornell bear on it.
Format: Memorabilia.